Candidates seek voter support in the Nahendeh

NAHENDEHConstituents in the Nahendeh will choose between two candidates from Fort Simpson when they go to the polls on Oct. 3.

Incumbent Kevin Menicoche is seeking a third term while Bertha Norwegian is looking for her first seat in the legislative assembly.

Menicoche, 49, said he decided to run again, in part, because of the early support he received from residents and local leadership.

"I continue to enjoy the work I'm doing," he said.

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Other areas of importance include education, youth opportunities and the delivery of health care.

Parents have a role to play but the education system still needs to be more responsive to children's needs, said Menicoche.

He added more training opportunities are also needed for older youth who drop out of school.

The health care system also needs to be more responsive to people so situations don't occur where patients are misdiagnosed after receiving only a cursory examination, he said.

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If elected, Menicoche said he would bring with him his experience from his previous two terms. During his first term, Menicoche served as the minister of the Department of Transportation and the chair of the Accountability and Oversight Committee. In his more recent term, Menicoche was the chair of the Government Operations Committee and the deputy-chair of the Rules and Procedures Committee.

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Bertha Norwegian, 56, who's also from Fort Simpson, said she's wanted to run for MLA for many years. This is her second campaign. Her first attempt approximately 20 years ago was unsuccessful.

Norwegian said devolution is one of the most important issues for the people.

There needs to be more discussion across all levels, including aboriginal and Metis governments, about devolution, she said.

"There needs to be a real effort on behalf of the government of the Northwest Territories, in particular to establish a relationship with Dehcho First Nations," said Norwegian.

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Norwegian said she's also concerned for the future of young people around the ages of 16 to 30. That age group needs to be encouraged to get involved in what's happening in the North, she said.

"For their future, we need to see growth and they need to be part of that," said Norwegian.